Bridge to Terabithia

Watched this movie on a date with aik joon today. Was deliberating between this and "28 Weeks Later"- both well-reviewed new releases - but opted against the latter as aj didn't want something gory.

Anyway "Bridge"'s trailer is highly misleading, but I already knew this before entering the theatre, so I couldn't say I was tricked into watching it. Touting it as "from the producers of the Chronicles of Narnia" and focusing mainly on the visual effects of a colourful fantasy world (by WETA of LOTR fame) , its accomplishment as a "powerful portrayal of love, loss, and imagination" (Rotten Tomatoes) is greatly understated.

To quote more reviews (since I'm lazy to think and can't possibly express myself as well as these critics):

"Everyone involved genuinely seems to believe in the power of imagination to enliven -- and enlighten -- the darkest realities, and that's a magic this film captures beautifully" -New York Daily News

"The beloved children's book has not just survived but thrived in its adaptation to the screen, its delicate combination of coming-of-age angst, tragedy and fantasy handled with assurance and taste" -Washington Post

"Elaborately mounted, expensively produced and filmed with style and empathy" -Chicago Tribune

So if you are looking for action a la "Narnia" or "LOTR", you might be sorely disappointed. But otherwise, it's a heartwarming (and at times, heartwrenching) film worth seeing, albeit on DVD and not in the theatres.

And finally, I shall leave you with this quote:

"Terabithia picks up a lot of emotional punch as it rolls along, and anyone leaving the theater with a dry eye should be checked for a pulse" -Detroit News

For the record, there was no need to check for a pulse in my case. ;)